Roads Australia
The ARF Forum a Success
The September 2006 Forum at the WatersEdge in Sydney was a hit with members, who turned out in force to hear top quality speakers including the NSW Minister for Roads, Federal Minister for Roads and the CEO of Bilfinger Berger Australia.
NSW Minister for Roads, the Hon Eric Roozendaal opened the Forum with an outline of new and existing road projects in NSW. He also spoke of the NSW Government’s commitment to public transport, saying that Sydney had by far the highest rate of use of public transport in Australia, at 22%. He said the NSW Government had recently committed to spending $170 million on improving public transport. He also highlighted the $540 million earmarked for two new transitway projects in Sydney’s west. He also stressed the need for a fully electronic tolling system, but stressed that it must be implemented in a sensible and steady way.
Chief Executive Officer of Bilfinger Berger, Ken Scott-Mackenzie gave the keynote speech at the Forum, focussing on how we deliver infrastructure projects in Australia. He praised the Queensland Government for having the political will to free up the process of building roads, saying the “attitudinal change” in the northern state had made a huge diffference.
Adrian Hart from BIS Shrapnel had all the Forum delegates taking notes, with his comprehensive report on the economic conditions facing the roads industry in coming months.
Gerard Waldron, the Managing Director of ARRB Group outlined a major policy proposal, calling on the industry to provide support and funding for a New National Centre for Heavy Vehicle Safety and Efficiency.
Queensland and South Australia’s road agencies added to the NSW road report given earlier by Mr Roozendaal. They reported to the Forum on what’s coming up in their respective states, while DOTARs reported on Auslink projects.
The Federal Minister for Roads, the Hon Jim Lloyd, in his luncheon address, spoke about Auslink delivering improved levels of co-operation between the Federal Government and the States and Territories. He also highlighted the Federal Government’s support of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“The Westlink M7, the largest ever urban road project in Australia, to my mind was one of the most successful PPPs to date,” he said.
The Forum finished with comprehensive presentations on managing congestion from Prof Peter Stopher, Transport Planning, Sydney University, Dr Garry Glazebrook, UTS, Sydney and David Brown, Australian Institute of Traffic Management and Planning.
ARF Chief Executive Ian Webb said the Forum was once again fully subscribed. “Our members who came to the Forum said it was another outstanding event,” he said.
Presenters included:
the Hon Jim Lloyd MP, Federal Minister for Roads
the Hon Eric Roozendaal MLC, NSW Minister for Roads
Mr Ken Scott-Mackenzie, Chief Executive Officer Bilfinger Berger Australia
Mr Adrian Hard, BIS Shrapnel
Mr Gerard Waldron, Managing Director ARRB Group
Prof Peter Stopher, Transport Planning, Sydney University
Dr Garry Glazebrook, UTS Sydney
Mr David Brown, Australian Institute of Traffic Management and Planning
If you wish to make any special requests, modify or cancel your booking please contact Roads Australia directly.